Lasting machine



June 16, 1925. 1,541,862

R H. SILVESTER LASTING MACHINE Filed Dec, 1, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /6Fig. 1. M

Junelfi, 1925. 1,641,862 R. H. SILVESTEZR LASTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1,1921 2 Sheets- Shet 2 y i Q) Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nonnn'r HENRY sILvEsTER, or LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PETERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

LASTING MACHINE.

Application filed December To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. SILVESTER, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at Leicester, Leicestershire, England, have inventedcertain Improvements in Lasting Machines, of which the followingdescription, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating likeparts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for working uppers over lasts. Theinvention is herein shown and described as applied to a hand methodlasting machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters PatentNo. 584,744: granted June 15, 1897 upon application of Ladd and McFeely.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited inits application to machines of this type. 1

The present invention is of special utility when applied to atype ofhand method lasting inachine which is known as a twin tack lastingmachine and embodies inventions disclosed in United States LettersPatent No. 1,007,051 granted October 31, 1911 on application of ArthurBates, No. 1,245,659 granted November 6, 1917 on application of Batesand Caselton, and No. 1,360,442 granted November 30, 1920 on applicationof William Roberts.

In this machine the organization is such that for each operation of thegripper either one or two tacks may be inserted, and further such thatwhenever the plaiting movement is imparted to the gripper in lasting thetoe end of a shoe a single tack is driven, and whenever the plaitingmechanism is employed in lasting the side or shank of a shoe two tackswill be driven for each pulling operation. In toe lasting it isimportant that the single tack driven be inserted directly behind thegripper, considered from the op erators position, and accordingly themachine has been so organized, the second tack driving mechanism, whenin action, inserting its tack in a position offset from the gripper,that is, at one side of the gripper and, in fact, toward the operatorsleft.

In the'use of a step-by-step lasting ma chine itis. preferable and usualto last each side of a shoe in a direction from the toe toward the heel.When a twin tack laster is used in this way the offset tack is at the 1,1921. SerialNo. 519,141.

rear" of the gripper, relative to the direction in which the lastingoperation is pro-, gressing, when lasting one side of the shoe and inadvance of the gripper when lasting the other side of the shoe. In thislatter case the disadvantage. arises that while the gripper tensions aportion of upper opposite one tack, a portion of upper in advance of thegripper is wiped over and secured by the second or advance tack withouthaving been properly tensioned by the gripper.

Furthermore, when, as is frequently the ease, the plaiting motion of thegripper is employed in side lasting, for example, to take care of thefullness of the material at the sharply curved portion of the shoebetween the shank and the ball, the oifset tack, when in advance of thegripper, as it'is at one side of the shoe, will be inserted outside Ithe plaiting sweep of the gripper and therefore in material outside thepulling range. Consequently, the offset tack secures material which isinadequately lasted and tends to prevent the next pull, which at thispart of the shoe should be close to the preceding pull, from beingapplied as near to the preceding pull as the requirements of goodlasting demand.

Objects of the present invention are to obviate these disadvantages.With these ob jects in view a feature of the'invention consists in anorganization comprising a grip per and a plurality of tackers, means foreffecting relative displacement of the tackers and gripper to cause thegripper to operate infront of either tacker. As herein shown, thetacking mechanism normally inserts one tack behind the gripper andanother offset from the gripper, means under control of the operatorbeing provided for effecting lateral displacement of the gripper tocause the gripper to operate in front of the tack previously oifset.

Preferably the tacking mechanism includes a wiper which has two tackpockets, the wiper moving over the shoe bottom to wipe in the upper andone or both of the tacks being driven to secure it. The gripper has ausual or normal position in front of the right-hand tack pocket and whenshifted occupies a position in front of the left-hand tack pocket. Themachine as shown has two edge gages, one being used at the sides of theshoe and the other exleft-hand tack is discontinued.

clusively at the ends of the shoe, and connectionsare provided from theend edge gage to the gripper to cause the gripper to be restored tonormal position when the end edge gage is brought into operativeposition, and at the same time driving of the second or Shifting of theend edge gage out of operative position has no effect on the grippershifting mechanism so that when the side gage is in use the operator hasthe choice of placing the gripper in either of its operative positions.

These and other features of the invention will appear more clearly fromthe following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a portion of the head of a hand methodlast-ing machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of mechanism shown inFig. 1;

Fig. dis a plan view, partly in section, of the means for effectinglateral displacement of the gripper; and

Fig. 4 is a detail, in perspective and partly in section, of parts shownin Fig. 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings are shown characteristic mechanisms ofthe hand method machine including a sole rest 2, a thin edge rest 4 foruse at the sides of a shoe. and a thick edge rest 6 for use at the endsof a shoe, said rest being movable into and out-of operative position bymeans of a lever 8 fulcrun'ied at 10 and having a handle 12 andinter-engaging connections at l t with a slide 16 on which the end rest6 is carried. A combined tack block and wiper 18 is operated as usual towipe in the lasted upper and is provided with two tack pockets withwhich two drivers 20, 22 co-operate (Fig. 1) to secure the wiped upper.A gripper 2st is operated as usual to close upon the upper, to updrawand to overdraw the seized portion. The gripper, at the will of theoperator, may be given plaiting movements comprising lateral and turningor twisting movements by manipulating of a knee lever which acts througha rod 25 to change the position of a slide above or below the center ofoscillation 28 of a rocker 30, which is operated by power of the machineto and fro in each *ycle. The slide 26 is pivoted at 31 to one end of avlink 32 (Fig. the other end of which is pivoted to the lower end of alever by pin 86, the inner end of which engages a block 37 guided forhori zontal movement in a groove 39 in the frame. The lever is fulcrumedbetween its ends at- 38, the construction being such that the lever vmove relatively to the pivot 38 to permit ontal movement of the pin 36in its lower end. At its upper end the lever is connected to a slide 40from which the twisting movements of the gripper are derived in theusual manner.

The lateral movements of the gripper. which are employed with thetwisting movements in plaiting the upper, are effected by 2 link 42having universal joint connections at one end to a slide 44 by movementof which the gripper is swung laterally about a ball joint 4-13 at itsupper end. In the construction embodying the present invention the otherend of the link 42 has a universal joint connection 48 to a block 50formed on or secured to a link member 56 which is guided in grooves 58in the link 32. The portion of the link member which engages the grooves58 is rounded to permit a limited up and down rocking movement of themember about the center of the block 50.

The other end of the member 56 has an inclined slot 60 which is guidedupon an extension of the pin .36 by which the link 32 is pivoted to thelever 34;. The slot 60 is equal in length to twice the diameter of thepin 36 and a spring-pressed plunger (32 housed in the member 56 projectsinto the slot midway of its length to engage one side or the other ofthe pin 36 and so hold the slotted member 56 yieldingly in one or theother of its extreme positions. \Vhen the slotted member 56 is in itslower position it acts to hold the block from the pivot in the slot thatthe gripper 24 occupies its normal position, i. e., the pulling positionwhich, from the operators point of view, is just in front of the driver20, or in front of the right-hand tack inserting position. Theinclination of the slot 60 is such that when the member 56 is raised toits upper position the block 50 is drawn to the left a distancesutlicient to cause the block 50, acting through the rod or link 42, toplace the gripper in front of the driver 2 or the left-hand tackinserting position. The movement of the slotted member 56 is broughtabout by a depending link 6% which is pivotally connected at its upperend to the member 56 and at its lower end has a universal jointconnection (ii-s, (57 to one arm 66 of a lever fast on a shaft 68journaled in a bracket 70 fixed to the frame of the machine, the saidshaft having a handle 72 extending within easy reach of the operator. Asecond arm 74: of this lever extends rearwardly and has an opening inits end through which extends the upper end of a thrust rod 76 the lowerend of which has a ball and socket connection with the lever 8 which, asdisclosed in Patent No. 1,245,655). controls the position of the thickor end edge and operation of one of the tack drivers subject tomodification by the plaiting mechanism. This thrust rod 76 has on it aspherical shoulder 7 8 to engage a at such a distance 1,5a1,se2 3 cuppedrecess on the under surface of the arm 74 and the arrangement is suchthat when the edge gage controlling lever is in its rearwardposition andthe end gage is out of action the operator may, by the handle 72, placethe slotted member 56 in. either of its two positions. Should the member56,'ho-wever, be in its raised position when the end gage is broughtforward,

! the arm 74 will engage the spherical slioulder 78 and the thrust rod76 will, by its connection with the edge gage controlling lever, begiven a movement as the lever 8 is advanced which raises the sphericalshoulder 78 and forcibly lifts the arm 74, thus, through the arm 66 andlink 64, lowering the; slotted member 56 and returning the gripper 24 toWhat may be called for convenience its normal position, i. e., theposition in which the gripper is directly in front of the right-handtacking position or driver 20.

Mechanism for controlling the number of tacks to be inserted is providedwhich comprises a stop 80 arranged to arrest, when in hand tack driverbar 82 so that only the right-hand driver bar 84- and its driver 20 willbe in operation. The stop 80 is moved into position to arrest theleft-hand driver by moving the handle 12 forwardly, causing a cam 861:0lift a push bar 88 and release the stop 80. Mechanism is, of course,provided to stop the feeding of tacks to the tack pocket beneath thedriver 22 when it is prevented from operating. Preferably the machine isalsoorganized, as disclosed in Patent No. 1,245,659 above referred to,with interconnected mechanism between the drivers, ilaiting mechanismand gages to modify the action of the machine to meet conditions atdifferent portions of the periphery of the shoe, namely the toe, theheel, the sides and the sharply curved portion between the shank and theball. The organization is such that with the end gage in use, as at thetoe and heel, one tack will be driven when the plaiting mechanism is inuse as required at the toe, and two tacks when the plaiting mechanism isnot in use as at the heel. With the side gage in use for side lasting,including the sharply curved portion, two tacks will be driven whetheror not the plaiting mechanism is in use, thus permitting its use at thesharp curve between the shank and ball. WVith this organization,combined with mechanism as described for shifting the gripper, theoperator may place the gripper in front of either tacking position when,with the side gage in use, heis insert ingtwo tacks at each pull whetheror not the plaiting mechanism is put into action. If,however, the endedge gage 6 is in operative position, a condition which prevails onlywhen operating at the toe and, heel, the gripperis necessarily in thecustomary or normal right-hand position in relation to the tackingpositions so that the single tack which is inserted if the plaitingmechanism is rendered active, as when working at the toe end of theshoe, is the customary or right-hand one of the two tacks. Thus, withoutsacrifice of any of the utility of the machine as previously organized,the present invention enables the operator to drive two tacks whilelasting either side of the shoe in either direction, to employ theplaitingmechanism when necessary, and to locate the gripper in front ofthat one of the two tacks which is in advance with respect to thedirection selected for performing the lasting operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Ina machine of the class described, means for inserting a pluralityof tacks, a gripper, and means for locating the gripper in front of thepoint of insertion of either tack. l

2. In a lasting machine, a gripper operating to tension successiveportions of the upper of a shoe progressively, meansfor inserting aplurality of tacks for each operation of the gripper, and means forshifting the gripper and tack inserting means relatively to cause thegripper to produce the greatest tension on the portion of upper which isto be secured by any one of the tacks.

3. In a machine for working an upper over a shoe bottom, a wiperarranged for movement to wipe a portion of the upper over the shoebottom, a plurality of tackers associated with the wiper to secure thewiped upper, a gripper arranged to tension a portion of upper in frontof one of the tackers, and means for shifting the gripper to cause it totake hold of the stock in front of another tacker.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a wiper,means for inserting a plurality of tacks through the wiper, a gripper,means for initially locating the gripper in front of the point ofinsertion of either tack, and means for operating the gripper in eitherposition to tension the upper prior to operation of the wiping andtacking means.

5. In a lasting machine, a gripper operat ing to tension successiveportions of the upper of a shoe progressively in either direction, meansfor inserting a plurality of tacks in each operation of the gripper, andmeans for initially locating the gripper in front of the tack which isin advance with respect to the direction along'the shoe edge in whichthe lasting is progressing.

6. In a machine for working an upper over a shoe bottom, a wiperarrangedto wipe a portion of upper over the shoe hot tom, a plurality of tackersassociated with the wiper to secure the wiped upper, a gripper arrangedfor updraw and overdraw movement and normally positioned to tension aportion of upper in front of one of the tackers, and means under controlof the operator for shifting the gripper to initial position in front ofanother tacker.

7. In a lasting machine, a gripper operating to teimion.successiveportions of the up per of a shoe progressively, a wiper operating to layeach portion of the upper over the shoe bottom and having a plurality oftack pockets, means for inserting tacks from the tack pockets throughthe wiped over portion of the upper, and means for shift ing the grippertransversely of the path of movement of the wiper to cause it initiallyto seize that portion of upper which is in the line of movement ofeither tack pocket of the wiper.

8. In a machine for working an upper over a shoe bottom, a wiper havinga plurality of tack pockets and arranged for reciprocation to wipe aportion of the upper over the shoe bottom, a plurality of driversassociated with the tack pockets to secure the wiped upper, a gripperarranged to tension a portion of upper in front of one of the tackpockets, and means for shifting the grip per to a position in front ofanother tack pocket.

9. In a machine for lasting successive portions of an upper step bystep, a gripper, means for inserting two tacks for each operation of thegripper, and means for shift ing the gripper to position it initially infront of either point of tack insertion so that whether the lastingoperation is progressing in one direction or the other along theperiphery of the shoe both tacks will be in serted in a portion of theupper which was within the range of the gripper and has been properlyworked into lasted position.

10. In a machine for lasting successive portions of an upper step bystep, a gripper, means for imparting plaiting movements to the gripper,means for inserting two tacks for each operation of the gripper, andmeans for shifting the gripper to position it initally in front ofeither point .of tack insertion so that whether the lasting operation isprogressing in one direction or the other along the periphery of theshoe both tacks will be inserted in a portion of the upper which waswithin the plaiting range of the gripper and has been properly workedinto lasted position.

11. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a wiper,means for inserting one or more tacks through the wiper, a gripper fortensioning the upper to be wiped, means for locating the gripper infront of the point of insertion of either tack, a gage movable into andout of operative position and adapted for use in lasting the end of theshoe, and means acting automatically when the gage is shifted tooperative position to suspend action of all but one of the insertingmeans and .to insure that the gripper will be in front of the singletack then being driven.

12. In .a machine of the class described, the combination with agripper, means for imparting upper tensioning and plating movements tothe gripper, an end gage and a side gage arranged for alternative use atthe ends and sides of a shoe respectively, and means for inserting oneor a plurality of tacks, of means for locating the gripper initially infront of either point of tack insertion, means for ensuring that thegripper will be located in front of a givenone of the tacking positionswhen the end gage is in use, and means for suspendinginsertion ofanother tack in case the plaiting mechanism is also in use.

13. A machine of the class described hav ing, in con'ibination, a wiper,a pair of drivers, a gripper, means for locating the gripper in front ofeither driver, an end gage movable into and out of operative position,and means acting automatically when the gage is shifted to operativeposition to suspend action of one of the drivers and to ensure that thegripper will be in front of the other driver.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a gripper,means for imparting at will plaiting movements to the gripper, a pair ofgages arranged for alternative use at the ends and sides of a shoerespectively, and means for inserting one tack or two laterally spacedtacks, of meags for shifting the gripper in front of the point ofinsertion of either tack, automatic means for ensuring that the gripperwill be located in front, of the right-hand point of. tack insertionwhen the end gage is in use, and means for suspending insertion of thelefthand tack in case the plaiting mechanism is brought into action.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,means for imparting at will plaiting movements to the gripper includinga link, and means manually movable without the use of tools for changingthe effective length of the link between two limits to vary the initiallateral position of the gripper.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,power means for imparting lateral movements to the gripper, and meansfor varying at will while the machine is in operation the initiallateral position of. the gripper when it grips the stock.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,means including a link for imparting lateral movements Ill) to thegripper, and means under control of [he operator and operable by asingle movement for varying the elfective length of said link.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,power operated connections for imparting lateral movement to thegripper, and a handle operable by a single movement to shift saidconnections and thereby vary the initial lateral position of the gripperwhen it grips the stock.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,actuating and 15 actuated elements for imparting lateral movements tothe gripper, a yielding connection between said elements, and a shifterfor relatively moving said elements against said yielding connection tovary the initial lateral position of the gripper.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a gripper,operating means therefor comprising actuating and actuated elementshaving pin and inclined slot connections, yielding means for holding thepin at either end of the slot, and means for relatively shifting the pinand slot.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ROBERT HENRY SILVESTER.

